I got an email today. It was all about "white pride". I got it from someone I know. It was so... Jeez. I don't even have a word for what it was. It was so wrong on so many levels, that I decided (as challenged at the end of the email) to pass it on. Only I added some commentary and factual clarification.

The email itself is in blockquotes below the fold.

Let me know what else I should add.

As I said in the intro to the diary, the email is chopped up (in order) and in the blockquotes. My responses come after each point made by the emailer.

Someone finally said it. How many are actually paying attention to this?

There are African Americans, Mexican Americans, Asian Americans, Arab Americans, Native Americans, etc. And then there are just Americans.

I don't really know how to respond to this. I don't have this experience. I literally can't remember being addressed in a way that singled out my race. I have been addressed in a way that singled out my gender, but that's another story.

That would be, simply, because if you address another person in this fashion, you ARE a racist. The same goes for the epithets directed to a white person above. To characterize another person in terms that are largely considered profane, hurtful and reprehensible is to invoke racist language. Sorry.

You say that whites commit a lot of violence against you, so why are the ghettos the most dangerous places to live?

This is literally one of the most ridiculous and uneducated arguments I've ever heard. I don't know about whites committing "a lot of violence" against you (presumably minorities, as in all non-whites), but I DO know that whether or not whites commit "a lot of violence" against minorities is totally separate from the fact that ghettos can be dangerous places to live.

I would further point out that ghettos are not delineated by color. There are white ghettos (go to Appalachia, for starters), hispanic ghettos, black ghettos, etc. and so forth. The common thread in a ghetto is poverty. I'm frankly distressed that when you think of a ghetto, you think of ethnicity and not of poverty. Perhaps its the long-standing tendency of the powerful to refer to the poor as being poor because of their color that has you confused - has it occurred to you that it's strange for you to think of the color of a ghetto first before you think of the tragedy of poverty? Is it remotely possible that those who don't want to deal with the issue of poverty have made it an issue of race in an effort to divide and distract us?

You have the United Negro College Fund. You have Martin Luther King Day. You have Black History Month. You have Cesar Chavez Day. You have Yom Hashoah You have Ma'uled Al-Nabi You have the NAACP. You have BET.

If we had WET (White Entertainment Television) ... we'd be racists.

Wow. Where do I start.

Regarding the United Negro College Fund, you might visit this page on its website for a better understanding of its history. Suffice it to say that the UNCF was founded in the 1940s to address DIRE inequities in access to higher education by people of color. The reason there is not a United White College Fund, historically speaking, is because white children were not denied access in the way that black children were. Plain and simple. Further, you might enlighten yourself somewhat and understand what the UNCF does today, to include keeping black Universities solvent. Oh - and the reason there ARE black Universities, at a very simple level, is because blacks were denied access to white Universities.

Regarding Martin Luther King Jr. Day, your argument is ridiculous. We also have President's Day to commemorate the birthdays of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, two white Presidents (as if there's been any other kind). The designation of the Day is to commemorate a great American. It's sad - you've totally missed one of Martin Luther King Jr.'s key points from his "I have a dream" speech - that people be judged by the content of their character and not the color of their skin. The designation of Martin Luther King Jr. Day was that principle in action - his character made him a great American and granted him a Day like other great Americans.

Regarding Black History Month - are you really that shallow? Do you even know how or why it was established? Black History Month was the progression of Negro History Week, which began in 1926. Negro History Week was a response by prominent African American Carter G. Woodson to the misrepresentation of negroes in history. It was an attempt to RE-EDUCATE with the correct facts. It was also an effort, over time, to breed tolerance and unity. It came out of everything good as far as intentions are concerned and, thankfully, continues to this day. The fact that Black History month offends you is precisely the reason we need to have it.

You might also be interested to know what other celebratory months are out there:

I won't drag you through every month (if you want to see the list, click here and scroll down a bit to find the links). Hopefully you see how ridiculous it is to be annoyed about the designation of a month or a day or a week or a year of observance. In the next part of your email you talk about others related to religion and/or ethnicity, highlighting them as a bad thing. I hope one of two things happens after you read this: first (and best) you don't EVER complain again about such ridiculous things; OR you apply your outrage equally and send an email about how Noodle Month is unfair to whites or how Potato Lovers month is unfair to Potato Haters, etc. and so forth. Do you have nothing better to do?

Continuing.

If we had a White Pride Day ... you would call us racists.

If we had White History Month ... we'd be racists.

If we had any organization for only whites to "advance" OUR lives ... we'd be racists.

We HAD "white pride" days. They looked like this:

In fact, the White Pride movement that dominated American history was so strong that Southern whites, full of pride and believing that southern blacks didn't deserve to vote (despite the fact that the law guaranteed them this right), murdered in the name of white pride anyone who stood in their way:

This history is not all ancient, either. If you Google the issue you'll see that "white pride" marches and demonstrations continue to this very day.

We're all just trying to survive your "white pride".

We have a Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, a Black Chamber of Commerce, and then we just have the plain Chamber of Commerce.

Wonder who pays for that?

Well, in the case of the Chamber of Commerce, individual members pay for it. This link to my local Chamber of Commerce swhows the dues. This link (PDF) shows that the Black Chamber of Commerce is also paid for by member dues. And this link for the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce shows that it is paid for by membership dues.

Does that answer your question?

If we had a college fund that only gave white students scholarships you know we'd be racists. There are over 60 openly proclaimed Black Colleges in the US, yet if there were "White colleges" THAT would be a racist college.

In the Million Man March, you believed that you were marching for your race and rights. If we marched for our race and rights, you would call us racists.

You are proud to be black, brown, yellow and orange, and you're not afraid to announce it. But when we announce our white pride you call us racists.

Perhaps you should refer to the discussion of the United Negro College Fund on the issue of the whites v. blacks and college access, admission and monies. A little research may help you better understand that a huge chunk of American hisotry is all about the United White College Fund (and the United Male College Fund, for that matter). I'm at a loss to understand why a private foundation to help achieve parity in college admissions is a bad thing.

I'm not sure where you are getting your information on the Million Man March, so I went to their website and saw this, excerpted from their Preamble:

"This historic event brought nearly two million men to the Nation's Capitol. It demonstrated the willingness of Black men to atone to God for our shortcomings as men, husbands and fathers; it demonstrated our willingness to reconcile differences at home, school, church, organizations and in the society in general; it demonstrated our willingness to accept responsibility to change our behavior and to strive to make our communities a more decent place to live."

My emphasis added. I don't know where to begin to point out how roundly this contradicts other things you have said in your email. Perhaps you should make even a small effort to understand what you write before you write it.

It also seems to me that being proud of one's heritage is a good thing. I'm proud of my French-English-Irish-Cherokee-Mexican heritage. I'm also proud to be an American. If you are really so very affronted by the idea that you can't have a "white pride" demonstration, you need to blame those who came before you (see KKK picture and Mississippi Burning reference above) - not minorities.

You rob us, carjack us, and shoot at us. But, when a white police officer shoots a black gang member or beats up a black drug-dealer running from the law and posing a threat to society ... you call him a racist.

This is wrong on so many levels I don't know where to begin or if I should even bother. You say in this one statement that all minorities are criminals and violent thugs. Do you know any black people? How about Hispanic people? Have you ever seen a white person charged with a crime? The blanket you throw over this community is racist. That's why it's called such.

I am proud. But, you call me a racist. Why is it that only whites can be racists?

Where do you live? Again, I'll ask you: do you know anyone who is a minority and, if so, have you ever taken the time to talk to them about the subject? I had a very dear friend in college who was very light-skinned. She was bright, hard-working, and had made her way on merit. She would frequnetly tell me about racism within the African American community related to the relative lightness or darkness of a person's skin. As a white person, this had really never occurred to me and I was curious, so I asked her for examples. She told of being invited to be a bridesmaid in a wedding for a very distant acquaintance. The reason she was asked was because she was light skinned. The bride's family wanted only light-skinned people in the wedding party.

I can't personally relate, being white and all. But a simple conversation with someone who is non-white would help you understand that racism exists in all directions. What a stupid thing to say.

There is nothing improper about this e-mail.

Let's see which of you are proud enough to send it on.

There are many things improper about the email. For one, the logic used to make your "argument" is faulty at best and ridiculous at worst.

What makes it almost funny, though, is that it's an email basically asserting that you are not a racist, that your "white pride" should not be construed as racism, yet is is laden with racist, separatist overtones. Your outrage that there is a fund for (gasp) blacks to assist with college is one of those overtones. Your digusting and blanket accusation that minorities "...rob us, carjack us, and shoot at us" is offensive in the extreme.

Your email is the very reason we need the NAACP, UNCF, Black History Month, the Black Chamber of Commerce, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, etc.

Funny how that worked out.

Not only am I proud enough to send this on - I'm sane enough to correct you and to call you what you are.

15 Comments:

Obviously the email was written by an idiot and I'm surprised you actually took the time to read it.

I think racial holidays of any sort are silly. But, since we do have them, everyone should be able to have one without being labeled a racist. There is a common reference to St. Patricks Day celebrations for Irish-Americans. It's a purely jovial and tacky holiday. But, imagine if that holiday never existed and someone put forth the idea of an Irish-American holiday today. According to some of your comments on DKos, even if the holiday had no racist intentions at all, you would find such a holiday celebrating a white nation offensive. You seem to be stuck on past mistakes by the white race. Sure, whites did bad things. We did many great things too.

I get the impression that you are a smart woman and very passionate about your beliefs. I admire that. But, there is also an anger in that passion that I believe blinds you a bit to some of the nicer things in life. It's not all doom and gloom. Whites aren't out to conquer all other races. We both know this because we are both white.

The email was written by an idiot. There's idiots in all races. Don't be so harsh on your own race.

I very much agree with scipio. Your not really thinking about everyone else. Putting people of any particular race into a large generalized category is wrong. It is not fair to say that a white person who has embraced their heritage is a racist. I am a white woman and I am not a racist in any way, but I can be proud to be german/irish and a bunch of other stuff mixed in there. I should not be labeled a racist becuase of that. Shunning someone for being white is just the same as shunning an African American. You need to look at that side instead of just bashing it. It seems the more we fight about these things the farther we get from true tolerance.

You are the ones who seem to be living in a "dream" (reference Micheal King at www.martinlutherking.org), AND on crack. Do YOU live in predominantly black neighborhoods??? I didn't think so. Yap on, you perveyors of idiocy! Another thing-I'm sure you'll have lots to say about it, but here's my page-www.whitespeech.blogspot.com

I hope one day you'll realize that you've been deluded and manipulated into being agents for the enemy...and that-before iit is too late.

In The Awakening of White America (THE WHITE WORLD!!!), Wolf B'Shannon 14/88!!!

I too have recieved this email, and was actually sent to your page from, sadly, the only black friend I have (this being that I come from NH, and there isnt a very good mix).Although I agree that it is silly, and poorly argued- there is something that does stick out to me. I agree and respect these organizations and traditions that started to level the playing field (if you will) back in the middle of the last century- however, and I'm not implying that it is all perfect now, we have made many big strides towards equality, and maybe some of the organizations goals have become out dated,and in some ways doing the opposite of that which they set out to do (ie: sliding the bar a bit more over to the side of minorities than in the center now that things are a bit more even). Honestly- there is stuff in our history that wasnt good- but we werent alive then, it wasnt our head in the white hood- and it wasnt this generation's head in the noose. When does the past get to go back where it belongs- in the past. it sucked, as did the persecusion of the irish immigrants, or women or anyone else... but its over now... why keep brining it up and starting new fights about it?As far as the name calling- and this ties into the Imus in the Morning debatacle- I do agree with those who say that if you dont want people using those words towards you- dont use them towards yourselves. I disagree strongly with the n word from ANYONE, as well as most other derogitory words referring to race, ethnicity, religion or sex. BUT- if you use them, dont get mad when others do too.I also dont agree with rap and the glorification of "street" life or anything like that- but then again, that is my opinion, and I am not going to get MAD about it- I just turn it off and let it be.

there will always be inequality, it is human nature to be in competitoin with everyone to be the "best" and "strongest"- and the weathervane will swing this way today and that way tomorrow... this person obviously feels slighted, and is entitled to his/her opionion, as we all are. (as was Imus, BTW- it wasnt a nice thing he said, but we have all said mean things from time to time) If people want to repost- let them. you ave a right to post your thoughts in a public forum, why shouldnt he/she?(and, as I am not a "nameless coward", you may look me up on myspace under aryngibson if you would like to comment back)

I believe that opponents of UNCF and affirmative action are not opposed to an equal start we are just against a guaranteed finish. I don't believe (and no person of fair countenance can) that guaranteeing a person of success against and in opposition to another person based on race, will ever be a healthy way to run a civilized society. I don't get your point of Black history or Martin Luther King day either. How about HISTORY month. We live in a country where college students can't name the first five presidents-But they know all about Malcolm X and Martin Luther king. People like you and the smarmy, ludicrous and supremely racist attitudes are doing so much harm to the country and it's youth. Though, I do believe it's being done from a place of good intentions. Please consider what's important to your surroundings and the future of the country. I live in NYC and I see what the lack of white pride has done. It's frightening to see hoards of children idolizing and emulating the typical Ghetto thug (The image romanticized in all media) instead of a great hero like Ben Franklin, John Adams, or Davy Crockett. Also, if you really are interested in living in a world where people are judged by the merit of their action instead of the color of their skin-Then why do you support a Martin Luther King day? Why not have a Civil Rights day or a Bill of Rights day instead? A Martin Luther king day is so divisive.Additionally,there certainly are thousands of Americans who have done much better work for the overall good of the country and world-But they are white and they can not be recognized in this new world of supreme Race dependant adulation and good will.

You are absolutely correct. I am very lucky to be going to an Ivy League University, and with the education I have received thus far, I have learned that this country--this society--is of a very fickle construction. The small percentage of people that believe the rot about "white america" and the revolution and all that are sadly deluded: this was a Native American country before the introduction of "white" americans. SO TECHNICALLY, WE ARE ALL IMMIGRANTS. Chew away at your minds?

I hope to God that in the future, in fifty years, each and every extremist in this country will die out. It is a dying breed that furthers such extreme hate, for our world is becoming increasingly global, and those that survive will EMBRACE it rather than rebel against it. Astounding what a little difference in melanin and a large difference in mental acuity can do, right?

I agree wholeheartedly with your arguments. The only thing I would advise against is wasting your time trying to convince the imbecile that wrote you this email. He (or she) is destined for the gutter, and I hope whoever it is meets with 1) an education, or 2) impending doom before they can skew others with their rabid revelations. Unbelievable that people like this continue to exist in our world. They are the true domestic terrorists.

I agree that there is some role for ethnic pride, but "white pride" to the extent that you are proposing (now I address the tool that wrote the email) is destructive for this country. If you want to be a proponent of your ethnicity, do so without being demeaning to OTHER ethnic groups. Black-pride groups do NOT call for decreased white immigration, do they?

And finally, simply because I can't bear to hear how absolutely ridiculous some of these other responses are, THE REASON WE HAVE MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY IS BECAUSE MLK WAS A GREAT MAN, NOT BECAUSE HE WAS BLACK. MLK did a lot to further the role of the African-American in his day, and it is precisely because of this that we celebrate his cause--NOT because he is black. To say that our world is one of "supreme Race dependent adulation" is completely ignorant. I swear, if people were all white in this world, we would discriminate based off of HAIR color--this is the problem with the human psyche.

Give up this garbage of race--look beyond it into the soul of the HUMAN BEING instead. People do NOT choose their races. If you must discriminate, discriminate based on actions and not on race. It is such a shame, SUCH a shame when race related violence affects the innocent--and future generations simply will not stand for it.

And so I say this. To you racists that continue to exist, please know that for every one of you, there are a dozen people that hate you, a dozen people that pity you, and a dozen people that want nothing more than for you to simply cease to exist. You do more harm to this society than you will ever know, and by furthering rampant ignorance, dismantle all the steps we have taken in the past--as a COMMUNITY--to better the lives of individuals on this planet. If it is truly, according to you, the will of God to have white men rule this earth and dominate all other life forms, then He chose the most stinking, vile, pathetic and uneducated life forms to do so--the extremists that call themselves the "KKK." Embrace your ethnicity, by all means--but the moment you dehumanize someone else by viewing their skin color over the content of their character, you have dehumanized yourself, and in my view, have no right to life. Yes, to life.

Congrats if you made it this far in my "vent." To anyone that wants to argue with me about finer details, contact me at 508-579-0660 (yes, that's actually my cell number, call me if you're brave enough) and I will rip you to shreds. I have no patience for racist people in this world, and would LOVE beyond LOVE to see them out of it.

AJ-I appreciate some of the feeling you have but it seems to me that You are the extremist. You and the folks like you dehumanize anybody who happens to disagree with you by giving them a moniker “Racist” By taking away their humanity and turning any dissonant voices into an abstract “Racist” it makes it much easier to call for their deaths (Which you did many times during your rant) This is a tactic that governments have used to brainwash soldiers and turn them into mindless killers who lose all ability to reason. Perhaps you should examine exactly what sort of “Education” you are getting in that Ivy League University. To that I ask-What is apparent when a person emerges from a place of higher learning an indoctrinated, intolerant, arrogant, sadistic, tunnel-visioned automaton spewing an illogical and unreasonable ideology?It is abundantly clear from the content of your vitriol that you have much more in common with James Earl Ray than the likes of Martin Luther King!Civil rights has become a cloak used by hateful people and organizations to perpetrate their brand of discrimination in plain view and upon a blameless people. If you have any pride in yourself and a belief in your own intelligence, you would never need to utter the words Race or Racist in this life.It also seems that these people like to switch around what they consider a Race whenever it suits their own needs. For instance, I’m told that “White Pride” is offensive because there is no such thing as a “White Race” The terms “Irish Pride” “German Pride” “Polish Pride” “Greek Pride” Italian Pride” are all acceptable because the concept that these different people feel connected due to physical structures reeks of racial supremacy . Yet when it comes time to reap some sort of minority benefit (Affirmative action), or to condemn and place blame (White privilege) all of a sudden these disparate peoples are covered under the “White” veil. You can’t run with the fox one day and hunt with the hounds the next.

Hello, you should know the email is STILL in circulation (but is being attributed to Michael Richards now) - I replied back to all with a link to your page since you said it better than I could.

I do have one thing to add, though..

Why do we have Black History Month, Native American History Month, Women's History Month, etc.?Isn't this just Government Sponsored Passive Segregation? Shouldn't we be teaching and learning about ALL cultures and heritages ALL THE TIME? Just a thought.

I was exposed to this essay/email today with the credit being given to Michael Richards as well. It goes into the basket labeled "insidious". How does this crap keep afloat? and Why? It is just this subtle kind of use of language that keeps racism going. It's a gentling of simple minds into justifying terrible terrible ideas that lead to terrible terrible events. Put an end to it when you see it. Put and end to it when you hear it.

Yes, this email is crap. Even the soul of crap can be a little correct, much like the replies in this thread. If you're a black person you understand the landlord asking for rent, if you're the white person you understand not stoppng for gas in the wrong part of town. Both preconceptions are correct. According to this thread only one is valid. Both are wrong. If you're not black and you want to apologize for things you had nothing to do with with, knock yourself out, leave me out of it. In the mean time I'll stay out of the bad part of town, carry a weapon when I'm out and about and pray to God that the opressed don't carjack me. As an afterthought, yes, I'm a rascist. You made me, live with it.